Item number: A118

Year: Qing Dynasty, AD 1636-1911

Material: Copper

Size: 36.0 x 36.0 mm

Weight: 10.99 g

Provenance:

1. Noonans 2022

2. D. L. F. Sealy Collection

This coin, minted during the Qing dynasty, is a “Filial piety moves the heavens” flower coin. Its appearance emulates the design of traditional square-holed coins, featuring two solid concentric circles surrounding the coin. Both sides of the coin’s outer ring are adorned with a pair of symmetrically abstract dragon motifs, facing each other towards a single dragon pearl.

The auspicious inscription on the front reads “Tian Xin Xiao Gan”(Filial piety moves the heavens) in the sequence of “top, bottom, right, left.” This blessing originates from one of the stories in the ancient Chinese text “The Twenty-four Filial Exemplars,” specifically the legend of Shun. Before becoming an emperor, Shun adhered to the paramount virtue of filial piety in Chinese culture, even when faced with neglect and attempts on his life by his father and stepmother. Shun’s unwavering devotion enabled him to overcome numerous perils, with even birds and animals assisting him in his tasks. Eventually, the ruler Yao heard of Shun’s virtues and married his two daughters to him, later passing the throne to Shun. This act made Shun a paragon of sage kings in legendary times.

The auspicious inscription on the reverse side bears the blessing “Zhuang Yuan Ji Di” ( Number One Scholar at the Imperial Court), which is one of the most common well-wishes within the imperial examination system. It expresses the hope that the examinee will successfully achieve the highest academic honours and secure a prosperous future.

Yasheng coins, also known as “Yansheng coins” or “flower coins,” were not formal currency. Initially, they were primarily used for prayers for good fortune and to ward off evil spirits. Over time, their usage became more widespread. These coins were minted from the Western Han Dynasty to the early Republic of China, with a particular abundance and variety during the Qing Dynasty.

物件編號: A118

年代: 清代, 公元 1636-1911 年

材料: 銅

尺寸: 36.0 x 36.0 mm

重量: 10.99 g

來源:

1. 諾南斯 2022

2. 大衛.萊斯利.福布斯.西利舊藏

此枚錢幣為清代鑄造的天心孝感花錢，外觀仿效方孔錢的形制，為兩道實心圓圈環繞。錢幣雙面的外圈有一對左右對稱的抽象飛龍紋飾，對望同一顆龍珠。

正面的吉祥語按「上下右左」順序為「天心孝感」。這句祝福出自中國古代的「二十四孝」故事之一，即上古時代的傳奇人物：舜。舜尚未成為皇帝之前，即便面對父親和後母的冷落甚至陷害，仍不忘遵守中國文化最為注重的「孝道」。為此舜不僅屢次化險為夷，連飛禽走獸也一起幫助他完成各種難關。不久連統治者：堯也有所耳聞還把兩個女兒許配給舜，甚至最後將皇位禪讓予他，使後者成為傳說時代的聖王典範。

背面的吉祥語內容，則是科舉制度下最為普及的「狀元及第」祝福，祈求考生能順利考取功名，並擁有光明的前途。

壓勝錢又稱厭勝錢、花錢，非正式流通的貨幣，最初主要用於祈吉、驅邪，而後使用範圍越趨廣泛。從西漢至民初均有鑄造，尤以清代為盛，種類繁多。